Page 19 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook

U N DE R WAY

Aids to Navigation RED AND GREEN
Navigational aids are similar to traffic signs. They’re (Preferred Channel) BUOY
placed at various points along our waterways to help Topmost band red;
boaters locate their position and to steer clear of danger. preferred channel is to
left of buoy; no number.
The expression“red-right-returning”simply means
that the red buoys or day boards are passed on your 7 2
starboard (right) side when returning to port from the
open sea (or when going upstream). The opposite is true MAIN CHANNEL SECONDARY
when leaving port towards sea. Red buoys or day boards CHANNEL
are port (left side) and green buoys are starboard (right).
NUN BUOY 2
All navigation aids are protected by law. It is a Coloring red, with even
criminal offense to damage or interfere with them. Never number (leave to
tie your boat to a buoy, day beacon, or light structure starboard). Secondary
mooring. If you should collide with or damage an aid to 5 channel starts new
navigation, report it immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard 6 numbering system.
or local sheriff’s office.
CAN BUOYS 3, 5, 7 LIGHTED BUOY 6
Coloring green, odd Red in color, with even
numbers increasing number; red light, quick
toward head of navigation flashing (60 flashes per
(leave to port). minute). Leave to starboard
when proceeding toward head

3 of navigation (upstream).

4 NUN BUOY 4

Coloring red, with even
number. Numbers increasing
toward head of navigation
(leave to starboard).

LIGHTED WHISTLE BUOY 1 Proceeding toward 2
Green in color; odd number; navigation from
green light, regular or quick seaward.
flashing (leave to port
proceeding upstream). LIGHTED BELL BUOY 2
Red in color, with even
1 number; red light, regular
flashing (not more than 30
MID CHANNEL BUOY flashes per minute) or quick
No number; red and white flashing (60 flashes per
vertical stripes (should be minute). Leave to starboard
passed close to, on either when proceeding toward head
side). Light: white with of navigation (upstream).
Morse A flashes.

Federal Channel Marker System

Rules of the Road
The rules of the road are designed to help boaters
avoid collisions. All boats have responsibility under the
rules of the road. The“stand-on”boat has a responsibility
to maintain course and speed and the“give-way”boat
must stay clear of the stand-on boat’s path.

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